Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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77. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the justification of the pay claim of Irish Rail workers, given the industrial norms and the pay freeze they have experienced in recent years. [15626/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I am aware that Irish Rail and the trade unions have been, and are currently engaged, in a number of processes facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court with a view to reaching agreement on different issues including pay. Those processes will I am sure take cognisance of the particular circumstances of each individual case.

In the case of Irish Rail it is important to realise that the Company had incurred accumulated losses of €135m at end 2014 and that any negotiation on pay claims has to take into account what is affordable and sustainable for the company's future. The issues can only be resolved through open, constructive and realistic engagement between the Company and its employees.

Of course the State can assist where needed through the WRC and Labour Court and I am glad that both Irish Rail and trade unions are currently availing of the services of those bodies with a view to reaching agreement.